Wit Akpa Mgbanwe by Teresa Chan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Igwe in Nhazi Ihe Mgbakwunye Ejiji na Njem Competition Category.

IgweIhe Mgbakwunye· 2022

Wit Akpa Mgbanwe

by Teresa Chan

Client: Kalón

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Igwe Winner in Ihe Mgbakwunye Category

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The Design

About Wit Akpa Mgbanwe

Wit bụ akpa mgbanwe emere maka iji kwa ụbọchị. Enwere ike iburu Wit n'ụzọ ise: dịka akpa aka, akpa ubu, akpa a na-eburu n'obi, akpa azụ na akpa nwere isi jide n'elu. Ihe owuwu ya na-agbanwe agbanwe na-agbadata ma na-agbasa ka ọ bụrụ nlere anya anọ: nke apịchiri apịchi, nke owuwu ya siri ike, nke dị nro na nke agbasapụrụ agbasapụ. Eriri abụọ enwere ike ịgbanwe ma wepụta na-akwado ụzọ ọ bụla e ji ebu ya. Ihe ntinye abụọ enwere ike ịgbanwe agbanwe, bụ́ akpa ntinye eji kwa ụbọchị na akpa igbe kọmpụta laptọọpụ, enwere ike iji ha n'ime akpa ahụ ma ọ bụ naanị ha. E ji akpụkpọ anụ cactus, bụ́ ihe ọzọ dị mfe, sie ike na nke na-egbochi mmiri e mepụtara site na osisi, mee akpa a.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Igwe

Wit Akpa Mgbanwe meriri A' Design Award nke Igwe, nnabata dị ugwu e nyere design ndị dị mma nke na-emezu ihe ndị a chọrọ n'ọrụ na ụlọ ọrụ nke a na-atụ anya n'ihe e kere eke ndị e mere nke ọma. Ndị meriri na Igwe na-egosi nka buru ibu, ọkachamara dị elu, nghọta ọkachamara na ikike imepụta nke ndị kere ha. A na-atụ anya na Wit Akpa Mgbanwe ga-abụ ihe e kere eke a na-asọpụrụ nke ukwuu, a na-eto na a hụrụ n'anya nke bụ ihe bara uru ma dị ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Igwe na-ejikọta ụzọ kacha mma nke ụlọ ọrụ ma nwee àgwà teknụzụ kwesịrị ekwesị jikọtara na ihe ọmụma na talent. A na-asọpụrụ Wit Akpa Mgbanwe maka nlezianya ya ma e mere ya ka ọ nye mmeziwanye ndụ nke na-enyere aka ime ka ụwa bụrụ ebe ka mma.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The five-way WIT Bag is a multifunctional masterpiece to empower modern lifestyles by blending style, functionality, and sustainability. Designed to adapt and transform, it can be carried as a handbag, shoulder bag, crossbody, backpack, and top-handle. Its fluid and supple structure easily folds and unfolds for four iconic silhouettes: folded, structured, slouchy, and expanded. Featuring two customized modular add-ons: The Everyday bag insert and Laptop Sleeve are designed to pair perfectly or stunningly standalone. Crafted in Cactus leather, an innovative plant-based leather alternative.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 370mm x Depth 115mm x Height 290mm. Weight: 900gr (only the WIT Bag. Up to 12 dedicated compartments for keys, bottles, laptop, etc.
Tags: Modular bag, convertible bag, vegan bag, fashion design, female-founded
Production Technology: The fluid structure is achieved by manipulating the materials. The side frame is reinforced to maintain the shape. The main bag is constructed to drape and fold, creating a natural curvature. The material, Desserto Cactus leather, is a lightweight, durable, and water-resistant vegan leather alternative. Bag inserts fabrics are waterproof and lightweight.
Design Challenge: One of the biggest challenges is to overcome the transformative concept. The bag must be flexible, user-friendly, but durable in each independent form. We have tested multiple prototypes to achieve the ideal construction and outcome. The second challenge is working with innovative vegan materials. We have experimented with several plant-based options to ensure durability and performance before deciding on cactus leather. The material is only available in Mexico, and we have to navigate suitable partners with adequate expertise in working with such material.
Research: We carried out in-depth market research to study and evaluate existing convertible handbags for women. We sent questionnaires to target audiences to study their current interaction with everyday bags, existing pain points, and possible solutions. With global events and changes to our lifestyles, users emphasize versatility and practicality in their everyday bags. We found out that plant-based leather alternatives are on the rise, and most of them are intrigued with such material.
Inspiration: Inspired by Women In Tech and created by a Forbes Under 30 female founder, the WIT Bag blends design, functionality, & sustainability. Being an entrepreneur who is constantly in motion, I found myself struggling with heavy & bulky bags. Technology is constantly transforming our lives, but we are still compromising on style and function for our handbags. We aim to reimagine everyday bags to realise the best of both worlds, ethics & aesthetics, luxury & style. With remote working on the rise, the need for an alternative to a regular work bag became even greater. We strive to design a bag as multifaceted as our modern lifestyles.
Project Duration: The project started in August 2021 in New York and Hong Kong. The product launched in February 2022.
Operation Flow: The bag is transformed by manipulating the shape and arranging the straps. The bag is structured when the bag insert is placed inside. The bag naturally slouches when the bag insert is removed, it can also be folded into a triangular top-handle bag. To carry as a backpack, the bag flaps can be expanded and secured by a zipper, and straps can be attached. The bag contains two adjustable and detachable straps for transforming different ways to carry.
Patents: Patented. Patent filing number: 2219274.6M001. 2219274.6M002. 2219274.6M003. 2022. HONG KONG.
Team Members: Designer: Teresa Chan
Image Credits: Photographer Media Studio Hong Kong Limited
Model Yana Basalaeva